A Transportation Security Agency employee experienced the retirement of his life: an 8-year-old Labrador retriever named Messi.
Messi is a passenger screening dog for the TSA at Reagan National Airport outside Washington, D.C. who “enjoys watching planes and playing in the grass near Gravelly Point,” according to a press release.
The Labrador’s favorite activity is “playing with a tennis ball after a busy day looking for possible traces of explosives at the airport.”
Messi, alongside all dogs screened by the TSA, is one of 300 dogs selected each year who spend 16 weeks training for the job at Joint Base San Antonio Lackland.
After faithfully fulfilling his duties for many years, Messi was surprised by his handler Peter and some adoring fans at Reagan Airport with a special treat.
According to a TSA press release, “Messi was joined by several handlers and invited guests to celebrate his retirement at a surprise party.”
“A training aid was hidden in a large room and Messi, accompanied by his handler, Peter, searched the room. When Messi “hit” the device, he was showered with tennis balls thrown by the others dog handlers.
The end of Messi’s duties came when his official “Do Not Pet” patch was removed from his harness, signaling the end of his life as a working dog.
Fortunately, “there was no shortage of guests eager to pet the newly retired dog.”
Messi will be adopted in his retirement by his owner Peter, who will continue to professionally train ASD dogs.
New York Post
